Austin restaurants earned seven of the 15 Michelin Stars awarded to Texas restaurants in the Michelin Guide’s first-ever Texas ceremony, which took place at Houston’s 713 Music Hall on Nov. 11.

Houston followed behind with six more of the coveted stars, which signify a mastery of cooking techniques, per the Michelin Guide criteria. Many other eateries and chefs were recognized for their service, quality, sustainability and affordability.

Some context

Michelin collaborated with marketing organization Houston First and Travel Texas, part of the Texas Economic Development and Tourism office, to bring the invite-only ceremony to Houston.
The inaugural event took place at Houston's 713 Music Hall. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
The inaugural event took place at Houston's 713 Music Hall. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Houston First President and CEO Michael Heckman welcomed Houston Mayor John Whitmire and several "innovative chefs, astute restaurateurs, and welcoming hospitality folks" from Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio. He called the Michelin Guide's arrival in Texas and Houston an important milestone in the state's culinary evolution.

"Today's Texas is home to some of the finest restaurants in the world, and now those restaurants become more visible to the world from this prestigious guide," Heckman said. "In Houston, our tremendous cultural diversity has produced one of the nation's most acclaimed and dynamic food cities, with more than 12,000 restaurants serving over 80 different types of cuisines from around the globe."


Texas is the 11th state in Michelin Guide’s list of North American destinations, according to Michelin’s website.

The details

Forty three Texas restaurants were awarded a Bib Gourmand rating for “exceptionally good food at moderate prices,” and two restaurants earned Green Stars for their sustainable gastronomy practices.
Dallas restaurant Rye won a Bib Gourmand designation from Michelin, as well as an award for exceptional cocktails. (Courtesy Rye Dallas)
Meanwhile, individual chefs and restaurateurs were also honored with awards, such as Julian Shaffer, who won an award for exceptional cocktails at Rye in Dallas, and chef Edgar Rico, who earned the 2024 Young Chef Award for Nixta Taqueria in Austin.

In total, 15 restaurants received one star from the Michelin Guide. Here’s the full list of restaurants that received stars at the inaugural Houston ceremony by city:


Austin
Barley Swine in Austin earned one Michelin Star at the inaugural 2024 Texas Michelin Guide Ceremony. (Courtesy Barley Swine)
Barley SwineCraft OmakaseHestia
Austin's LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue was awarded one Michelin Star. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
LeRoy and Lewis BarbecueLa BarbecueInterstellar BBQOlamaieDallas

Tatsu DallasHouston

BCN Taste & Tradition
CorkScrew BBQ
Le Jardinier, a Houston eatery serving modern French cuisine, earned a Michelin Star. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Le JardinierMarch
Modern Indian restaurant Musaafer earned a Michelin Star at the first-ever Texas Michelin Guide ceremony. (Courtesy Musaafer)
MusaaferTatemoSan Antonio

Mixtli




How it works

Tire company Michelin is behind the international restaurant rating system, which began more than a century ago in France to encourage tourism and travel at the genesis of the automobile industry, according to the business’ website.

Anonymous inspectors have been visiting Texas restaurants since July to review and rate the eateries on certain criteria related to their food, according to Michelin’s website. Criteria included:
  • Quality products and ingredients
  • Harmony of flavors
  • Mastery of cooking techniques
  • Voice and personality of the chef reflected in the cuisine
  • Consistency of food and service between visits by the inspector
The Michelin Guide then ranks these restaurants with one to three stars, with three being the most prestigious. Per the website, the stars indicate the following:
  • One star: the eatery is “worth a stop” for its high-quality cooking
  • Two stars: the restaurant is “worth a detour” for its excellent cooking
  • Three stars: the restaurant has exceptional cuisine and is “worth a special journey"
Chef Edgar Rico (left) earned the 2024 Young Chef Award for Nixta Taqueria in Austin. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Why it matters


The Texas Restaurant Association and hospitality industry experts said Texas’ inclusion in the Michelin Guide points to the state’s global recognition for “rich, culturally diverse cuisine and exceptional hospitality.”

TRA President and CEO Emily Williams Knight said in an October statement these ratings will support the growth and success of Texas’ food culture.

“This recognition will not only attract more visitors but also provide an economic boost to our restaurants and the broader hospitality industry,” Williams Knight said.

Meanwhile, University of Houston professor Kyle Hight said the state’s diverse culinary landscape is worthy of being celebrated on a “global stage.” Hight is assistant professor for the Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership program and has 14 years of hospitality experience.


“The Michelin Guide’s first Texas edition not only honors the creativity and dedication of our chefs but also shines a light on the unique flavors that make Texas cuisine so special,” Hight said in a Nov. 11 emailed statement.
117 restaurants and chefs were recognized at the inaugural event, representing 26 different cuisines. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Gov. Greg Abbott said in a Nov. 12 statement the Michelin Guide will also contribute to the economic health of the state.

"This is why the food service industry is a cornerstone of our economy, contributing more than $100 billion in sales last year and serving as the state’s largest private employer," he said.

What’s next?

Abbott congratulated the 117 restaurants selected for awards and said the recognition is a testament to the chef's and restaurateur's "world-class talent."

“The coveted Michelin Stars rankings will have a lasting impact on the Texas economy, bringing travelers from around the world to experience the best that Texas has to offer," he said in a statement. "More than just our world-renowned barbecue and Tex-Mex, every region of Texas offers a rich menu of flavors that draws visitors from across the globe."

The Michelin Guide will hold its annual Texas ceremony in different cities each year to promote the future of the state’s gastronomy and the diversity of its cuisine, per a September news release.

For more details about the event and the eateries that were honored, visit the Michelin Guide website.